Mubadala breaks ground on landmark Al Maryah Island Waterfront transformation
The groundbreaking was officiated by Waleed Al Mokarrab Al Muhairi, Mubadala's Deputy Group CEO, who was joined by Dr. Bakheet Al Katheeri, CEO of UAE Investments, as they jointly broke ground to mark the start of the project.
The project will deliver a suite of world-class features and amenities meticulously designed to elevate the guest experience and unlock new opportunities for lifestyle, entertainment and engagement.
At the heart of the project is a 30-metre-tall luminous sphere, enveloped in flowing water and set within the bay, surrounded by over a 1000 AI-powered jets of water soaring more than 75 meters skyward in dazzling choreography to music by acclaimed composer Ramin Djawadi. These features are designed by WET, the premier water design firm in the world.
The development also includes:
• A sea boardwalk extension providing the guests access to the water's edge
• A shaded outdoor cooling system, enhancing comfort during hot seasons
• New F&B zones and event-ready public spaces elevating the guest experience
"The Al Maryah Waterfront enhancement project is a strategic investment in the future of Al Maryah Island' said Dr. Bakheet Al Katheeri, CEO of UAE Investments, Mubadala. 'This project will deliver iconic elements that elevate the quality of life and offer a diverse experience for visitors, while reinforcing the island's position as a premier lifestyle destination.'
Once completed, the Al Maryah Waterfront will serve as a dynamic backdrop for public life, designed to attract global visitors, support the capital's tourism ambitions, and provide premium opportunities for leisure, culture, and commercial activation.
This project is part of Mubadala's broader commitment to enabling the emirate's long-term vision of a sustainable, globally competitive, and future-ready urban landscape.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Campaign ME
an hour ago
- Campaign ME
Sarsan Aviation Academy picks Magic Mango MENA to lead digital strategy
Sarsan Aviation Academy, one of the region's leading aviation training institutions, has officially partnered with Magic Mango MENA, a UAE-based integrated communications agency, to lead its social media and paid media strategy across digital platforms. The strategic collaboration aims to mark a significant step forward in Sarsan Aviation Academy's mission to inspire and train the next generation of aviation professionals. By aligning with Magic Mango MENA, the academy aims to strengthen its digital visibility, engage aspiring aviators, and reinforce its positioning as a premium aviation training provider in the region. 'Digital communication plays a pivotal role in connecting with today's youth and aviation enthusiasts,' said Ayesh Shanah, Managing Director at Sarsan Aviation Academy. 'Partnering with Magic Mango enables us to not only amplify our brand presence online but also drive enrolment and awareness through meaningful, creative, and data-driven campaigns.' Magic Mango MENA will take the lead on developing and executing a comprehensive digital strategy, encompassing organic social media content, community engagement, and targeted paid media campaigns. The goal is to build a strong and consistent brand narrative that resonates with prospective students, parents, and aviation professionals alike. 'We are excited to work with a forward-thinking institution like Sarsan Aviation Academy,' said Vicks Vikneshwaran, Director at Magic Mango MENA. 'The aviation sector is incredibly aspirational, and our job is to reflect that through compelling storytelling and performance-driven digital activations that spark interest, trust, and action.' This partnership is expected to run across multiple touchpoints and platforms in an effort to usher in a new era of visibility and engagement for the Academy.
Fintech News ME
2 hours ago
- Fintech News ME
MENA Startup Funding Hits US$2.1 Billion in H1 2025
Startup funding in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) reached US$2.1 billion during the first half of 2025, with 334 deals recorded across the region. This marks a 134% increase compared to the same period in 2024. While part of the growth was driven by an increase in debt-based financing, the figures reflect a notable level of investor activity amid persistent regional uncertainty. The second quarter ended with US$583.4 million invested across 149 deals, surpassing both the value and volume recorded in Q2 2024. Despite a slowdown in June, the quarter's performance indicated continued investor appetite for regional startups. Market conditions remained difficult in the first half of the year. Currency fluctuations, geopolitical tensions and volatile commodity prices, particularly in gold, oil and the US dollar, all contributed to an unpredictable environment. Nonetheless, several venture capital firms remained active, investing with caution. Fintech drew the highest amount of capital in Q2, with 38 startups raising a total of US$170 million. Proptech followed with US$77 million across eight deals, while the traveltech sector raised US$40 million through two transactions. Saudi Arabia recorded the highest funding volume during the quarter, overtaking the UAE. A total of US$231.5 million was invested in 38 Saudi startups, compared to US$197.7 million across 52 UAE-based companies. Egypt ranked third, attracting US$133 million through 30 transactions. By stage, mid-stage startups received the largest share of capital, with 10 Series A rounds totalling US$161 million. Early-stage companies accounted for the majority of deals, with 67 transactions recorded. Only four debt deals took place during the period, alongside two later-stage equity rounds. Total investment in H1 2025 reached US$2.1 billion, a substantial increase from US$898 million in H1 2024. However, excluding debt financing, which contributed US$930 million, the year-on-year growth narrows to 53%. The increase in funding coincided with renewed international interest in the region following a visit from US President Donald Trump, who was accompanied by a group of major Silicon Valley investors. The visit was widely seen as a signal of strategic interest in the region's technological infrastructure and market potential. Saudi Arabia accounted for approximately 64% of total capital deployed across MENA during the first half of the year. Investment volume in the Kingdom rose 342% year on year, driven by a policy-backed ecosystem and consistent government support. Fintech was the leading sector in Saudi Arabia, securing US$969 million across 20 deals. Contech and proptech followed with US$48 million and US$39 million respectively. Local venture capital firms received support from sovereign wealth funds, while government incentives attracted international startups and technologies. Male-led ventures continued to dominate the funding landscape. However, three female-founded startups in Saudi Arabia raised a total of US$60 million, and mixed-gender founding teams secured US$34 million across seven transactions. Domestic firms such as STV, Wa'ed Ventures and Raed Ventures led funding activity in the Kingdom. Foreign participation was also present, including JPMorgan's involvement in a debt round raised by Lendo, which signalled institutional interest in Saudi fintech. The UAE recorded steady growth despite competitive regional pressure. In H1, 114 UAE-based startups secured US$541 million, an 18% increase compared to the previous year. Debt made up 19 percent of this total, suggesting a relatively stronger equity market. Fintech led sectoral funding in the UAE with US$265.8 million raised across 35 deals. Insurtech followed with US$55 million from five transactions. Web3 and AI companies each raised US$44.7 million, through 11 and 13 startups respectively. Eight female-led startups in the UAE raised US$17.6 million, while mixed-gender teams secured US$91.7 million. Startups founded exclusively by men received the majority of capital. Egypt recorded a 106 percent year-on-year increase in startup funding, with US$179 million raised across 52 deals. This growth came despite continued macroeconomic strain, including external debt reaching 38.8% of GDP by the end of 2024. Debt financing accounted for 13% of activity in the market. In contrast to Saudi Arabia and the UAE, Egypt's most funded sector was proptech, which attracted US$75 million through three deals. Fintech companies raised US$85.3 million across 10 transactions, and e-commerce startups secured US$24.8 million across seven. Female-founded ventures in Egypt raised a total of US$425,000, while mixed-gender teams secured US$23 million. The remaining capital went to 37 startups led exclusively by men. Across the MENA region, fintech remained the top-funded sector in H1, attracting 62% of all deployed capital through 77 deals. Two of the three largest deals recorded during the period were directed toward fintech firms. A single large investment in iMena Group boosted venture studios to second in terms of capital raised, followed by proptech, which attracted US$119 million across 16 companies. E-commerce startups raised US$65 million in 24 deals. Debt instruments played a significant role in shaping funding trends in H1, accounting for approximately 44% of total capital or US$930 million. This reflects a shift in investor behaviour in response to wider global economic uncertainty. Early-stage companies, from pre-seed to Series A, attracted US$568 million in funding, while later-stage companies, ranging from pre-Series B to pre-IPO, raised US$431.7 million. Despite mid-stage rounds capturing the largest share by value, early-stage startups remained dominant in terms of deal count. Business-to-business models drew the most investor interest, with B2B startups raising US$1.5 billion across 197 transactions. This represented 70% of total funding in the first half. The remainder was allocated to B2C or hybrid startups. Funding distribution across genders remained uneven. Startups founded exclusively by men received nearly 89% of total H1 capital. Female-founded companies raised a combined US$84.5 million across 27 deals, while mixed-gender teams secured US$150 million.
Zawya
4 hours ago
- Zawya
e7 Group unveils capital restructuring through $218mln dividends, growing demand across region
Abu Dhabi – The board of e7 Group has approved a one-off special dividend of AED 800 million as part of a strategic capital restructuring plan to enhance shareholder returns and optimize long-term value creation, according to a press release. The group will also be committed to paying a dividend of at least 10 fils per share annually over the next three years, from 2025 to 2027. Moreover, in light of the special dividend, e7 Group will also make a voluntary offer to buy back its outstanding warrants at a price of AED 2.40 per warrant. The initiative provides additional strategic options for e7 Group to further consolidate its market position among the leading players in identity and packaging solutions across the region. With growing demand across key markets in the Middle East and Africa, the UAE-listed group is strategically well-positioned to broaden its platform, deepen client relationships, and enhance profitability. Chairman of e7 Group, Ahmed Al Shamsi, said: 'In light of our strong cash position and having explored a significant number of near-term inorganic growth opportunities, we are pleased to declare a one-off special dividend payment of AED 800 million, which we believe is currently the most efficient and prudent use of our excess capital.' Al Shamsi elaborated: 'This strategic capital restructuring is a clear sign of our financial strength and disciplined approach to capital allocation. We remain committed to delivering sustainable shareholder value through a clear multi-year dividend framework, where we expect to pay a minimum dividend of 10 fils per share to shareholders over the next three years.' The Chairman concluded: 'Our strategy remains focused on operational excellence, scaling our platform through organic growth and bolt-on inorganic opportunities, while also continuing to evaluate strategic options for the business and enabling long-term value creation for our shareholders.' It is worth noting that E7 Group's shareholders previously approved AED 147.10 million dividend payout for 2024. The amount represented 70% of the annual distributable net profit, exceeding the group's established minimum payout of 50%. All Rights Reserved - Mubasher Info © 2005 - 2022 Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
